A guide to fashion’s endless game of musical chairs
LBR, fashion is confusing – specifically the endless game of musical chairs when it comes to creative directors. It was summed up best by the immortal words of Project Runway’s Heidi Klum: ‘One day you are in, the next, you are out.’ Yep, it’s sometimes as quick as that.
Thankfully, we have come up with a helpful guide to give you a hand when you’re trying to impress your friends, family, or crush with your fashion know-how. You too, can navigate (or at least pretend) the newcomers, leavers, and those who are on the bench for now. It’ll probably be outdated by the time you finish reading it though…
KRIS VAN ASSCHE IS IN AT BERLUTI
The most recent move comes courtesy of Kris Van Assche, who was this week announced as the new artistic director at Berluti. Replacing Haider Ackermann – who only held the role for 18 months – the Belgian designer is taking a little more time to settle in and won’t present his first collection until the AW19 shows next January. Plenty of time for you to speculate what it might look like. Ackermann fans can rejoice, as his exit will enable him to focus on his own label.
VIRGIL ABLOH IS IN AT LOUIS VUITTON
Maybe on the most divisive of all the recent moves is of Virgil Abloh taking over the helm at Louis Vuitton. Announcing his new title via Instagram with a picture of an LV-monogrammed trunk, is this a hint of what to expect? Fans of his 4-year-old label, Off-White, don’t need to panic as the designer will continue to work on both. Abloh’s debut collection for the Parisian house will be during the SS19 menswear shows in June.
KIM JONES IS IN AT DIOR HOMME
Two months after his final show at Louis Vuitton – where he was men’s artistic director for seven years – Kim Jones was unveiled as Dior Homme’s new designer. Jones is clearly excited about the move, already posting his new work pass (cute!), and his trip into the house’s archive. Like Abloh, the British designer will present his debut collection in – yep, you guessed it – June. We can’t wait!
HEDI SLIMANE IS IN AT CÉLINE
Following the exit of ten-year creative director Phoebe Philo, it was announced that Hedi Slimane would be taking over as artistic, creative, and image director. Slimane will present his first collection during the SS19 shows in September. In a first for the house, the designer will also be designing menswear, couture, and creating a fragrance too.
As for Philo, it was first rumoured she would be going to Burberry (we now know that isn’t the case) but others suggested she was heading to Azzedine Alaïa (something the house denied). For now, it is reported that she won’t be going to any other labels any time soon. Sob.
RICCARDO TISCI IS IN AT BURBERRY
After a nice year off since he departed Givenchy, in a surprise move Riccardo Tisci was announced as the new chief creative officer at Burberry. Replacing the house’s former 17-year president and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey, Tisci’s debut – this September during the SS19 shows – will be his first venture into ready-to-wear since his final SS17 show for Givenchy. Bailey himself isn’t saying sayonara just yet, and will remain on the board for the house until the end of the year.
GOSHA RUBCHINSKIY IS OUT AT GOSHA RUBCHINSKIY(?)
Okay, so not quite, but today the Russian designer cryptically announced on Instagram that he would no longer be creating seasonal collections and that instead “something new is coming”. Is this Rubchinskiy’s way of pushing against fast fashion? A belated April Fool’s Day joke? Or just a way for him to focus on his skate brand collab, Paccbet, with best friend and muse Tolia Titaev. Either way, there’s no telling when he will drop his next collection. Here’s to hoping it’s sooner rather than later.